Latin Mass Question

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Lux_et_veritas

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Ok, so I’m new at this Latin Mass attendance. I went to a church that had it on Pentecost and at one point during the mass I could have sworn I saw the alter boy lift the - gee, I don’t know the name, but the red outer garment. He lifted it from the back and if I didn’t know any better, they were sending incense up the back of it as it was lifted.

Was it my imagination? It’s obviously symbolic and it happened twice during the mass.

What gives? Is it exclusive to Pentecost?
 
Happens during the consecration, at every Mass.

You should have heard bells, too. They made me deaf, you know. :ehh:
 
Greetings!!!

Called a chasuble. Nope it is not exculsive to Penticost. Done at every Mass. I don’t know the spiritual significance of it, but it originated in the middle ages when the chasible and other garments were very heavy, and the priest needed help lifting his arms for the elevations.

Pax Christi!
Usque.
 
OK, but did I see the altar boys send incense up his back side? (no disrespect intended)

:bigyikes:
 
OK, but did I see the altar boys send incense up his back side? (no disrespect intended)
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Give a whole new meaning to blowing smoke up one’s arse, eh?
 
Must have been a High Mass.

I believe the incense was directed at the consecrated species, not the priest’s posterior.
 
Dr. Bombay:
Must have been a High Mass.

I believe the incense was directed at the consecrated species, not the priest’s posterior.
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:rotfl: :rotfl:
What Dr. Bombay said.
 
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ybeayf:
Give a whole new meaning to blowing smoke up one’s arse, eh?
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I’m ashamed to admit that I wanted to explain it this way, but it just seemed so irreverent. I’m soooo embarassed.

Now you all know why I brought my question here.

I can tell you this much about the Mass. It was Pentecost, It was in Latin, it was an “Orchestral Mass” with a stringed symphony and choir (directed by the Pastor who has a masters in music) and I don’t know how to recognize a high mass, but I would say there is a good chance this was one.
 
If the priest was facing away, talking amongst himself and God, and the orchestra/choir sang the intriot… ok, sang any music while the priest was still up at the altar saying mass, it was a high mass, or a missa cantanta. I am sure someone will be along shortly to correct me.
 
They were lifting the Chasuble of the Priest…it is done twice during the consecration at every Mass…its not exclusive to Pentecost…I hope this helps 🙂
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Lux_et_veritas:
Ok, so I’m new at this Latin Mass attendance. I went to a church that had it on Pentecost and at one point during the mass I could have sworn I saw the alter boy lift the - gee, I don’t know the name, but the red outer garment. He lifted it from the back and if I didn’t know any better, they were sending incense up the back of it as it was lifted.

Was it my imagination? It’s obviously symbolic and it happened twice during the mass.

What gives? Is it exclusive to Pentecost?
Click to expand...
 
I appreciate the acknowledgements that I wasn’t seeing things.

Can someone dig into why this practice is done. There is much symbolism in the Latin Mass and I find it intriguing. I would really like to understand the “why” behind this one.

:banghead:
 
I think its the minor elevation and the major (not the right word), elevation.
 
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Lux_et_veritas:
http://www.latin-mass-society.org/images/harlington/harlington0423.jpeg

OK - so now we see it. Now I want to know why? What does it symbolize.

C’mon people, someone must have wondered why? Understanding the “why” is important as all things are symbolic in such masses.

😛 - I’m so antagonistic.
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Lux, I asked A Priest friend of mine, Many years ago, This same question. His answer: The server (or Deacon) is merely taking the weight of the vestments of the Priests Arms. My Priest friend has been ordained 62 years. I also asked our Pastor who says our weekly Tridentine Mass. He confirmed this. Then I did A little research. In the Middle Ages It was common for the Celebrant to hold up the sacred species for A long time. Hence the practice of lifting the Chasuble to give him some relief. It was also common during this period for the Servers to Hold elevation torches. You will see this at A solemn High Mass.

Thomas Cranmer the “reforming” Protestant Archbishop of Canterbury. Wrote about this practice in one of his many diatribes against the Ancient Mass. He said it was common for the people to “call out” during the elevation “Hold” “Hold” when the priest started to lower the Host or the Precious blood.

Hope that helps
BTW Just like My Medieval forbearers, This is my favorite part of the Ancient Mass.
I cant wait to experience it in the Morning!

Quicumque Vult, Salvus esse,
 
The reason for this is as previously stated- to take the weight of the heavy chasuble off of the priest’s arms while elevating the Host and Chalice.

Ken
Attendee at www.materecclesiae.org
 
:clapping:

Acceptable replies. I suppose it makes sense in the context of how long they held the Host, and the liklihood that chasubles were probably heavier in those days than they are today. Interesting custom to preserve.
 
The cope (floor length cape) used at Benediction is another example. Altar boys would hold the cope out and back so that the priest could swing the censer. Come to think of it, I seem to remember holding the chasuble too when the priest incensed the altar at a Solemn High Mass.
 
Between resisting the impulse to shout out “HOLD! HOLD!” during the elevation and the thought of the priest’s bottom being incensed, I’m afraid my mind at today’s Mass was not really where it should have been.

You people should be ashamed. :tsktsk:

😉
 
Dr. Bombay:
Between resisting the impulse to shout out “HOLD! HOLD!” during the elevation and the thought of the priest’s bottom being incensed, I’m afraid my mind at today’s Mass was not really where it should have been.

You people should be ashamed. :tsktsk:

😉
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I’m ashamed to say the “Hold! Hold!” thing crossed my mind today too…:o
 
Hi Lux,

In the Middle Ages, some chasubles were so loaded with decorations and jewels that they prevented some priest from lifting their hands. That is why, the server lifted it up. I think one would be hard pressed to find some spiritual meaning to this one…

But any spiritual meaning you can find is as good as any other.

Verbum
 
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